Cap-dropper.



E. M. LANG, JKL & c. w. SLEEPER.

CAP DROPPER. `APPLICATION FILED lULY.24,19l 2.

\ QLUMBM PLANOGIMH Cn.. WASHINGTON, n. cA

E. M. LANG, la. & C. W. SLEEPER. CAP DROPPER. APPLICATION FILED` `JULY 24.1912. n 1,159,285. l PantedN0v.2,1915.

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t. M. LANG, 1R. & vc. w. SLEEPER.

CAP 'DROPPER.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 24, |912.

1 I,1 59,235. Patented Nov. '2, 1915.

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CAP DROPPER.

APPLICATION FILED .IULY 24.v I9I2.

Patented Nov. 2, 1915.

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Patented Nov. 2, 1915.

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E. IVI.l LANG, In. 6L C. W. SLI-IEPER. CAP DROPPER.

APPLICATION FILED .IULY 24, 1912 1,159,235.

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E. M. LANG, 1n. & W. SLEEPER.

CAP DROPPER.

`APPL|cATloN FILED luLY 24.1912.

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coLUMmA PLfmDuRAPH Co.. WASHINGTON. D. c.

iiNiTnD sTATTs PATENT oTTicn.

EDWARD M. LANG, JR., 0F PORTLAND, MAINE, lAND CHARLES W. SLEEPER, 0E

LANCASTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE; SAID SLEEPER AssIeNoR To sAiD LANG.

CAP-DROPPER.

\ Application led July 24, 19127f Serial No. 711,323.

T 0 all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that we, EDWARD' M. LANG, J r., a citizen of the United States, residing at Portland, county of Cumberland, State of Maine, and CHARLES W. SLEEPER, a subject of His Majesty the King of Great Britain, and resident of Lancaster, county of Goos, State of New Hampshire, have Vinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Cap- Droppers, of which the following is a specication.

This invention relates to feeding devices, and particularly to the dropping and delivering of can caps and articles of a like. nature. As the machine which forms the embodimeiit of the invention is especially adapted to drop can caps and place them on the filling opening of a can the invention will he discussed with particular reference to that art. It will be, however, understood that the mechanisms involved herein are capable of various uses and applications.

" The feeding and placing of can caps involves many diiiiculties due to the liability lof jamming or mutilating the caps, and to the necessity of delivering a cap toeach can so accurately that it will exactly overlie the filling opening. This has been particularly diflicult in view ofthe variety of sizes of cans employed and in the difference of the spacing of the cans on the conveyer. Tt has been found of great advantage to drive the so-called dropper from the cans themselves as they pass on the conveyer. This varying distance between the cans makes it difficult to secure uniform and accurate dropping under all circumstances. The present invention, therefore, combinesa driving mechanism operated by the cans themselves with a dropping and placing mechanism of such construction and in such relation that it may be operated by cans at any distance of spacing. v

The object of the invention is, further, directed to overcoming the liability ofthe machine to jam on any misplaced or bulged cans which may be on the conveyer. To overcome this difficulty the invention includes certain improvements in the mounting of the device to vpermit the yielding of the machine relative to the carrier. The jamming of the caps within the dropping mechanism is also avoided by the introduc` Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 2,1915.

tion of yielding elements in the driving and guiding of those parts which engage the cap. The construction and operation ofthis machinewill be more fully set forth in the a sectional view of the cap chute, picking and dropping slide and delivery slide together with their mountings on the line 5w5 of Fig. 1, Fig. 6 is a plan view of the same with the guides removed, Fig. 7 is a section on the line p7-7, Fig. 6Figs. Sand 9 are details of the cap separating and dropping mechanism, Fig. 10 is a further view corre* sponding .to Fig. 6 but showing the cam slide at the other end -of its throw, Fig. 11 is a section of the slides on the line 11-11, Fig. 6, Fig. 12 is a detail of the cap Slide operating mechanism, Fig. 13 is a view of the driving mechanism partly in section with the position of the cans indicated in dotted lines, and Fig. ll is a detail of the yielding pivotalsupport and the supporting bearings of theA dropping mechanism.'v

The machine, as illustrated in the `drawings, is adapted to be used in connection with any ,form of can conveyer, as for instance the endless chain type, of which we have illustrated a cross section in connection with the showing in Fig. 4:, in which the lateral guides of the conveyer are indicated at 1 with the conveyer chain 2 running between them, having upwardly projecting dogs 3 adapted to engage a cam and carry it forward to the machine.

The feeding and dropping mechanism is mounted on a bearing 5 Vpivoted at 5a to a clamp 9 suitably held to the bed of the conveyer by a bolt 91 and having a depending flan e 9,2 between which and the lower portion of t e bearing 5 is interposed a springS.

In the bearing 5 is mounted a vertical sup--l porting rod held against rotation therein by a set screw 11.

The rod f1 is supported on the bearing 5 by a sleeve 6 set by a screw 61. Clamped to the rod 1- and in a proper positionrelative to the conveyer 2 is a supporting collar 50 clamped by a bolt 51 and supporting a ball race Above this race is rotatably supported a hollow shaft 13 which surrounds the rod 4f and about the hollow shaft 13 is a sleeve 121 upon which a hub 18 is fixed. Loosely surrounding the sleeve 121 and below the hub 18 is a notched disk 15 adjustable with relation'to the hub 18 by means of a pair of tangential screws 19, one of which is threaded through a post set in the disk 15 and the other through a post set in the hub 18. This affords the slight circumferential adjustment required in timing the dropping of the caps.

AThe notched disk 15 is yieldingly held in fixed relationto the plate 10 by a latch 16 having a pointed end adapted to enter the notches 151 of the disk. The latch may be moved out by the lever 161 which has a cam shoulder which bears against the block 101 formed on the plate 10 and through which the latch 16 passes. The latch is yieldingly held in its disk engaging position by a spring pressed locking plunger 163. This plunger 163 has a beveled end which permits the latch 16 to yield in case there is any jamming of the caps or obstruction to the drive.

The machine is driven by the cans C as they pass by on the conveyer. Fivoted to theplate 10 at equal distances from its axis of rotation are a plurality of can engaging arms 11. These arms are each pivoted between their own ends and the rear end of each Yarm is inl turn pivoted to an annular ring 12 rotatably supported on flanged rollers 131 carried by the ends of the rods 7 adjustably held by set screws 71 in the bearing 5 as shown in Fig. 2.

At the upper end of the hollow shaft 13 is mounted a pinion 20 which meshes with a pinion 21 to drive a pinion 22 set on the shaft 221 which carries a crank arm 21 surrounded by a roller 25. The roller 25 works in a cross slot 26 of a cam slide 27 having cam slots 271.

At the upper end of the supporting rod 1 is mounted a casting 60 including a suitable casing for the gears 20 and 21, and having a lateral overhang 62 provided with a bottom L13 forming a channel within which K overhanging guides 641 and 65 are adj ustably supported for centering the cap with relation to the can as indicated by 4dotted lines at C in Fig. 1. The shanks of the guides `61 and 65 are slotted and held to the frame 62 by set screws 66. Bolted to the casing extension 62 is the delivery chute 70 having a V-shaped channel 711 on its upper face and a shallow groove 72 on its lower side. lVithin the groove 72 is set an adjustable strip 73 adjustably held by a clamping screw 71 by which its forward end 731 may be properly positioned for supporting the adjacent edge of the bottom caps l).

The extension 62 of the casing casting carries a further extension 67 in which are formed an upper and lower set of slideways. lIn the lower slideway is a pusher slide 80 working on the plate -13 which forms a supporting shelf on which the caps F are dropped after they are separated from the column in which they are fed down the chute 70.

The chute 70 is V-shaped and is set at an incline of about 45% so that the circular caps rest thereon in substantially vertical position. At the lower end7 however, the chute is downwardly curved, causing the caps to pass from a vertical to a more hori- Zontal position. This causes an opening of the column on its outer edge and a slight separation of the outer edges of the individual caps which permits them to be more readily separated by the slide 28.

The placing slide 80 is operated by a lever 81 pivoted at 82 in the brackets 83 and operated by roller 81 on a crank 85 formed on the shaft 221. The lever 81 is slotted to receive the roller 81 and at itsfree end is again slotted at 86 to receive a roller 87 on a stud 88 set on the slide 80.

Above the slideway 80 is formed in the casting a slideway 90 in which a pair of carrier slides 33 and 31 work. The carrier slide shown in Fig. 7 is held at the lower end of lsaid slot by a spring 37 backed by a screw 371. The stud 38 carries a picker blade 28 which is clamped to it by a screw 381 and a suitable washer 382. The other slide 33 has clamped to it a dropper blade 29 held by a screw 331 and washers 332. The slide 31 has a stud 32 and the slide 33 a stud 31, both of which project through a cam slot 271 on the cross slide 27. The picker and dropper blades 28 and 29 are each cut away to clear the studs 32 and 31 as appears in Fig. 10.

The cam slide 27 works in a slideway 100 cut on the lower faces of a block 101 attached to that part of the extension 67 in which the slideways 90 are formed by screws 102. The upper face of the block 101 is channeled at 103 and in this channel a nai'- row plate 101 is adjustably held by a screw 106 passing through a slot 107 therein.

On the lower end of the plate 1011 there is removably mounted a verticallyr disposed guide block 108 which is set opposite to the lower end of the chute 70. The chute supports one edge of the caps and the plate 101 supports the opposite edge of the caps P as they reach the lower end of the V- shaped 'chute 70. This adjustability of the y ingly held against the blade by a'spring 1'11 when necessary into the recess 291 frelation to the cap next above it.

backed byl a screw plug 112vso that the vpressure on the pickerblade 28 may be adjusted as desired. In this :manner the picker blade is 'yieldingly held down blade 29 but permitted to yield upwardly to ride over the edge of the bottom cap P1 in penetrating between the and the cap P2 which lies against the dropper bottom cap P1 next above it.

The transverse movement of the cam slide 27 imparts to the slides 33 and-34 along'itu- -dinal reciprocation in their-slideways `and ay corresponding movement of the picker blade 28 and the dropper blade v29 lfor Vthe purpose of separating and dropping a `cap j from the column. In this operation, as vindicated in Figs.5, 8 and 9, the column normally lies in the position shown in Fig. .5. One edge of the column of caps is supported against the projecting edge 731 of the strip 73 and the other edge of the column 'rests against the block 108A and overlying and 'resting upon the end of the dropper slide v29 at the rear of its recessed point y291.

Upon the first movement of the lmachine to drop a cap, the picker slide28'fadvances and thrusts its forward edge `between the bottom cap Vand the cap lying next above it.

"In this movement lit may yield upwardly if necessary yagainst its spring 111. The drop per blade 29 is slightly withdrawn by a simultaneous movement vso -that `the bottom Lcap P1 falls into the recess 291' at the for- Vward end of the dropper slide 29 at the.

same moment the picker slide 28 starts to insert itself between the caps. In Jthis way the certainty of separation is secured `and the danger ofmutilating the caps isavoided. As soon as the picker slide has'advanced Y sul'liciently to support the cap P2 and t-he superimposed column of caps, blade 29 recedesslightly, permitting the adjacent edge .of the lower cap vP1 to fall formed atits point, as is shown in Fig. 8. The caps -P are slightly dished and are fed in inverted position. This 'dropping of the adjacent edge of the lower cap 'P lin-to the recess 291 causes the cap P to be supported in a tilted position in During this time the picker blade 28 is traveling forward and rides on the upper surface of the cap supported by the dropper blade 29. As the slide 28 approaches the end of-i'ts advance the dropper blade 29 is receding, causing a tilt at the opposite side 'of the cap the -dropper Y tilted by having r1 @gains-tithe point 7531 fon 1 Alhih it as Islipportedig" The b0ttom-cap v:is thuswholly -f'sep'arated from 'that next'abo've "it, but is still` being .pressed down picker blade 28 against the point 292 fof the y"dropper-2'9. As the dropper 29 continues to by the point of the lproper' l-positionon the 'can in registry with i i This "adjustment lis seits filling opening; Cured*through lthe tangent Ascrews-19 which relatively Iadj ust fthe `transmitting mechanism between the 4disk 10 andthe gearing 20, 21,etc. of the dropping mechanism.v

The eccentricity ofthe ring lf2 is adjusted by the positioning of the rod-s V7 which may 'be rotated and clamped -by a set-screw 71 Vto vadjust their eccentric ends 72 so that the ring 12 inay lbe set laterally in either direcj tion by changing the position of jthese ends '72 on which the-flanged'rolleis131 turn.

The machine having been adjusted for proper height by the 'supporting v collars' 6 and properly timed vby the tangent screws 19 lfor accurate dropping and placing, and the guide'sr and 6.5 and ythe block'108 hav-ing beenproperly adjusted for the desired diameter of cap, the chute 70 ris filled with Y The macaps placed concave side down. chine is started from the position shown in Fig. 5 in which position one side of the bottom cap is supported on the point781 and the other side lsupportedajust "back of the `recess' 291-of 4the drop'per 29.` As the machine is actuated by each can as it passes,

one cap should be placed on the shelf 13 so that as the Ifirst can passes, 'the cap will 'be delivered to it. The first lcanin passing engages one of :the 'arms 11 and rotates the disk 10 one sixth of a revolution. Each full revolution ofthe disk 'causes six complete lcycles. of the dropping mechanism.

Itvwillfbe -noted that the pressure of each can when engaging with the outer end of the `arm 11 is transmitted to the -ring- 12.

The `ring -12 is 'held against any lateral motion under 4this tenden y bythe roller 131 on the right of F ig.k 2.

lThe*mac-laine is :guarded against damage Vfrom jamming by the yielding mounting of thebeani-n'g 5. Referring to Fig. -4 it will be seen that if the one edge rest 'on the 'top of one of the dogs can C should be slightly y 'y 3 or if the can should have lits top bulged on account of a lateral-dent separation of the caps, .introduces a-further element of safety in that by so doing v ,y hemmed cap secure by support for a plurality of can inthe side as-sometiniesv happens, the presyielding mounting ofthe picker blade 28.

1n case a cap becomes tilted in vertical vp osition, instead ofahorizontal position, as indicated in Fig. 5, or stands on edge on the plate 43 the slide is permitted tov yield against the spring 37 which is adjusted under a light tension. ,The upward yielding of the picker blade, in addition to its normal yielding functions for the purposes of Ait avoids the possibility of its jamming any of the caps P. In this connection it must be borne in mind that the caps P are of thin stock and are very easily bent,. and that even a slight bending, such as would be hardly perceptible to the eye, will prevent the proper fitting of the cap and the uniting of the parts by the solder. ,j

The caps, as illustrated, are .the so-called having a binding of solder p about the margins which is fused to solder the cap over the open mouth of the can.

While the several elements of the machine, as shown and described, do combine for great efficiency and accuracy of result, and while certain of the parts are dependent on each other, nevertheless various modifications in the form and arrangement of the parts may be had, and the machine and parts thereof may be variously adapted for different worlr, allwithout departing from the spirit of our invention if Vwithin the limits ofthe appended claims.

ldlhatwe, therefore, claim and desire to Letters Patent .is:-.- 1. ln a machine of the classdescribed, a

caps, a dropping mechanism for dropping the caps one by one, a placing mechanism for placing a dropped cap on a can top, a can engaged drive operatively connected with said dropping and placing mechanism and comprising a rotatable member, a plurality of can engaged arms pivoted between their ends at equal distances from the center of rotation of said rota-table member, a second rotatable member supported fory rotation about an axis eccentricto said first named member, one end of each of said arms being pivoted thereto at equal distances from said-.eccentric aXis.

2. In a machine of the class described, a cap placing mechanism for placing can caps on the open end of a can, a can engaged drive operatively connected with said placing mechanism and comprising a rotatable member, a plurality'ofl can engaged arms -pivoted between their lends at equal distances v"ping mechanism by one, a placing mechanism for placing a support for dropping perimposed from `the center of rotation of said rotatable member, a second rotatable member supported for rotation about an axis eccentric to said irst named member, one end of each of said arms being pivoted thereto at equal distances from said eccentric aXis.

3. ln a machine of the class described, a vsupport for a vplurality of'can caps, a dropfor dropping the caps one dropped cap on' a can top, a can engaged drive operatively connected with said dropping and placing mechanism and comprising `rotatably supported driving disk, a plurality of ycan engaged arms pivoted between their ends at equal distances about said disk, a ring, means for suitably supporting said ring about an aXis eccentricv to said disk, one end of eachof said arms being pivoted to said ring.v

4. In a machine of the classdescribed, a support for a plurality ofcan caps, a dropping mechanism mounted adjacent to said the can caps one by one, a can engaging drive operatively con- 4nected with said dropping mechanism and comprising .a rotatably supported driving disk, a plurality of can engaging devices pivoted 'between their ends at equal disvtancesabout'said disk, a ring, for suitably supporting `said ring about an axis eccentric to said disk, one end of each of said engaging devices being pivoted thereto.

A machine for feeding articles of theA class described,` comprising achute for supporting a plurality of superimposed articles,

an inclined 'shoulder on one side of said chute adapted to support thebottom article,

Aa pair of reciprocating members oppositely disposed to said shoulder, comprising a su perimposed vertically yielding penetrating member and underlying vdropping means having supporting surfaces in-two different horizontal planes, one fo initially supporting the adjacent edge ofthe bottom article and the other for supporting the said adjacent edge of said lower article subsequent to penetration and means forinoving said penetrator and dropper to release said article. y

6. A machine for feeding articles of the class described, comprising a chute for supporting a plurality of superimposedl articles,

an inclined rshoulder on one side of said chute adapted to support the bottom article, a pair lof reciprocating members oppositely disposed to said shoulder, comprising a suverticallyv yielding penetrating member and having supporting surfaces in two different horizontal planes, one for initially supporting the adjacent edge of the bottom article and the other for supporting the said adjacent edge of said lower article subsequent and meansl underlying dropping means to penetration With its upper surface in frictional contact With said penetrator. and

means for moving saidpenetrator and drop-V per to release said article.

7. A machine for feeding articles of the class described comprising a chute for supporting a plurality of superimposedV articles, means on. one side of said lchute adapted to support the bottom article, a pair of reciprocating members oppositely disposed to said-supporting means, comprising a superimposedA penetrating member v and underlying dropping means, and means for yieldingly moving said penetrator and for positively vmoving said dropper to release said'1 article. e n

8. A machine for feeding articles of the class described, comprising a chute for s upy for positively moving saiddroppery tov re-V lease said article. Y I

9. A machine of the cla-ss described comprising a support, a bearing ,.pivotally mounted thereon, a rotatable memb-ermount-k ed on said bearing, can engaging means associated with said member for the rotation thereof, a frame supported on said rotatable member, a gravity chute on said frame for supporting a columnr of caps, a pair of slides mounted adjacent to the bottom of said chute, a transverse cam slide having a suitable cam slot therein, studs on said slides and entering said slot, means for reciprocatber for operating said slides to drop a cap, and a pusher mounted below saidslides and adapted to deliver the dropped cap, and operated vby the means for reciprocating said cam slide.

lO. A machine of the class described, comprising a support, a bearing pivotally mounted thereon, a resilient means for maintaining said bearing in-vertical position, a rotatable member mounted on said bearing, can engaging meansv associated with said member-for the rotation thereof, a frame supportedonsaid rotatable member, a grav-V ity cliute on said frame for supporting a f column of caps, a pair oflslides mounted adjacent Ato the bottom of said chute, a transverse cani slide having-asuitable cam slot therein, studs on said slides and entering said slot, means for reciprocating saidcam slide from said rotatable member Vfor operating said slides to drop a cap, and a pusher mounted below said slides and adapted to deliver 'the dropped cap, and operated by the means for reciprocating said' cam slide.l Y

i ll. `A machine of the class described, coin- ,Y

prising a support, a beariiigpivotally mount A edV thereon, rotatableA member ,mounted on said bearing, can engaging means pivotally i associated withk said member forr the 1rotation thereof, a `frame supported on saidro-l tata'ble member, a'VV gravity AVIchiite. on said frame for supporting acolumn ofv caps,a pair of slides,mountedadjacentlto the bottom.. of said. chute, ajtransversefcam slide having a l suitable cam. slot therein, studs on said slides andenteringesaid slo t, ,a. verticallyA `and longitudinallyE 'yielding penetratl 'ing blade on one slide and'adropper bladeV on the other slide, meansfor reciprocating saidv cam slide from'said rotatable member for operating saidy blades to separate andA drop a cap, and aipusherinounted belowsaid slideseand ,adaptedv to ldeliver the dropped cap, andoperated bythe means foirecipro-v cating said cam'slide." l 'i i Y-f 1,2.' Almachine of the yclass described,`comprising a support, a bearing pivotallymount-I ed thereon, a resilient means for maintainf` ing saidv bearing invertical position, a` ro` tatable member mounted on 'saidybearing, can engaging means `Vpivo-tallyA associatedV With said member for the rotationthereof, i a frame supported on said rotatable, member,y a gravity chiiteon saidframeffor supporting a columnl of caps, a pair` of slides mounted adjacent to the bottoni of vsaid chute, a' transverse cam; slideA having a suit? able cam slot therein',r lstuds on said nslides f and entering said slot, a vertically and lonerated bythe means fory reciprocating said cam slide. e s lSQIn a machine of the class described-,fa conveyer for successively,presenting a pli'i rality of open top '.cOntainers, vmeans adjacent to the` part ofthe container tops for supporting a plurality Yofcovers,'meansfor` deliveringrsaid covers s successively to said open containerf tops inpassing, s a mounting for cover supporting means for ,positioning the same adjacentto said path of the con" tainer i. tops including 1a laterallyf..yielding connection e'ective upon contact fof Aa conf tainer top Withgsaidzsup'porting means. V

14. A machine of the class described, com:- prising a feeder and'aconveyer for'preseiit-- inga series of articles to said feeder, fa drive L rotation of said'rotatable member, asecond.l

iptatable'.member supported aboutan axis e Y 100 gitudinally yielding penetrating blade on Y j yieldingly pressing eccentric to said first named member, one end of each of said engaging arms being pivoted thereto at equal distances from said eccentric aXis and the other end being adapted to be disposed across said conveyer when in protruded position. y

15. A machine of the class described, compris'ing a feeder and a conveyer for presenting a series of articles to said feeder, a drive for `said feeder comprising a rotatable member, a plurality of successively protrudable article engaging arms pivoted between their ends at yequal distances from rotation of said rotatable member, a 'ring supported for rotation about an aXis eccentric to said first named lmember, one end ofeach of said engaging arms being pivoted to said ring at equal distances thereon and the other end being adapted to be disposed across .said conveyer when in protruded position. i

' 16. A machine of the class described, comprising ka feeder and a conveyer for presenting a. series of articles to said feeder, a drive for said feeder' comprising a driving shaft operatively connected with said feeder, a disk mounted on said shaft, a plurality of engaging arms pivoted between their ends at equal distances about'said disk, a ring, means for rotatably supporting saidy ring about an aXis eccentric to said shaft, one end of each of said engaging arms being pivoted to said ring at equal distances thereon and the other end being adapted to be disposed across said conveyer when in protruded position. i

17. In a machine of the class described, a chute for supporting a plurality of superimposed articles, a slide operating in the plane of the lower surface of the bottom article, a slide operating in the plane of the top surface of the bottom article, means for down on said upper slide, and means for reciprocating both of said slides.

18. In a machine of the class described, av

chute for supporting a plurality of .superimposed articles, a slide operating 1n the plane of the lower surface of the bottom article, a slide operating in the plane of the top surface of the bottom article, means for yieldingly pressing down on said upper slide, and means for reciprocating both of said slides, including a yielding'stud engaging said upper slide.

19. In a machine of the class described, a chute for supporting a plurality 0f superimposed articles, a slide operating in the plane'of the lower surface of the bottom article, a slide operating in the plane of the top surface of the bottom article, and means for reciprocating both of said slides, including a yielding stud engaging Vsaid upper Slide 20. In a machine'of the class described, a

the center ofV chute for supporting a column of superim posed articles, a support for the bottom article at. one side of said chute, a pair of superimposed reciprocating members disposed at the-other side of said chute and comprising an upper vertically yielding penetrator and a lower dropper having a recessed point, reciprocating mechanism having successive phases of operation effective to advance the point of said dropper beyond the column edge to support the adjacent side of the bottom articlevbehind said recess to advance said penetrator to ride over the upper edge of said article, to withdraw said dropper to permit the adjacent edge of the article to fall within said recess, to further retract said dropper to lower the opposite side of said bottom article and to completely withdraw the forward end of the dropper to wholly release the article.

21. In a machine of the class described, a chute for supporting in column a plurality of superimposed articles, a support for the bottom article at one side of said chute, a pair of superimposed reciprocating members disposed at the other side of said chute and comprising an upper penetrator and a lower dropper having a recessed point, a yielding element against which the upper face of said penetrator finds bearing, reciprocating mechanism having successive phases of operation eifective to advance the point of said dropper beyond-the column edge, to support the adjacent side of the bottom article behind said recess, to advance said i penetrator to ride over the upper edge of thc: article, to withdraw said dropper point tc permit the adjacent edge of the article to fall within said recess, to further retract said dropper to lower the opposite side of said bottom article, and to completely withdraw the forward end of the dropper wholly releasing the article.

22. In a machine of the class described, a chute for a column of superimposed articles to be fed, a support for the bottom article of said' column, a penetrator having its separatingedge alined for entrance between the bottom article and the one next above it, means to advance the penetrator to separating position means effective to initially lower one side of the bottom article, then to lower the opposite side thereof and finally to wholly release the article thus separated.

23. In a machine of the class described a chute for a column of superimposed articles to be fed, a support for the bottom article of said column, a penetrator having its separating edge alined for entrancey between said bottom article and the one next above, means to advance the penetrator to separating position and means simultaneously effective to initially lower one side of the bottom article, to lower then the opposite side thereof after penetration, and finally to wholl 1 release the article thus separated.

24. in a machine of the class described, a gravity chute for a column of superimposed articles to be fed, a support for the bottom article of said column, means for temporarily separating the article neXt above the bottom article, and means effective to initially lower one side of the bottom article, said last named means co-acting with the separating means to then lower the opposite side thereof, and finally to wholly release the article thus separated. i

25. In a machine of the class described, a chute for a column of superimposed articles to be fed, a support for one side of the bottom article, a pair of members opposite said support and transversely movable relative thereto, means for yieldingly holding said members in contact with each other, means for moving said members to engage on upper and lower sides of the bottom article, and then to withdraw the lower member to wholly release the same.

26. In a machine of the class described, a gravitychute for a column of superimposed articles to be fed, a support for the bottom article of said column, means for temporarily separating -the same and the article next above the bottom article, said support including means effective to lower the side of the bottom article farthest from the chute, said last named means co-acting with the separating means to then lower the opposite side of said article nearest to said chute, and finally to wholly release the article thus separated.

27. In a machine of the class described, an inclined V-sh-aped gravi-ty chute adapted to support one edge of each of a plurality of articles to be fed and an -adj ustably mounted block set opposite to the lower end of said chute to support theopposite edge of said articles in their passing.

28. In a machine of the class described, a V-shaped conductor for a column of flat articles to be fed having a cured portion therein, and a penetrator radially ldisposed to Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of of, and means for moving said penetrator to cause it to enter between the edges'of said articles in rounding said curved portion.

29. In a machine of the class described, a chute for supporting a plurality of superimposed articles, a member operating in a direction transverse to the direction of feed of said articles and normally disposed in supporting relation to vthe bottom article, a member disposed for penetrative advancement between the bottom article and the article neXt above whereby to temporarily support said article neXt above, a guide-element in association with said penetrator member permitting yielding movement of said member in a direction transversely to its line of movement, whenever necessary, whereby to prevent jamming of said articles, and means for imparting oper- 'ative movement to said members.

30. In a machine of the class described, a chute for supporting a plurality of superimposed articles, a member loperating in a direction transverse tothe direction of feed of said articles andnormally disposed in supporting relation to 'thev bottom article, a member operating in the line of movement of the first named member and disposed. for penetrative advancement between the bottom article and the article neXt above whereby to temporarily support said article neXt above, an adjustable guide element in associa-tion with said penetrator member permitting yielding movement of -saidmember in a direction transversely to its line of movement whenever necessary whereby to prevent jamming of said articles, and means for imparting operative movement to said memberst VIn testimony whereof we affix our signai tures in the presence of 'two witnesses.

Witnesses:

C. J.HUGHEs, E. E. SINNETT.

Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

